The Catholic Church has no “hidden intentions” to force the Jewish people into conversion to Christianity, Cardinal Suenes, primate of Belgium, declared here today. In a message to the Belgish Israelitisch Weekblad, on the occasion of the Flemish-language paper’s 10th anniversary, Cardinal Suenes discussed the draft declaration on relations with Jews, debated by the Ecumenical Council in the Vatican this week, and stated that the time had come for a “loyal dialogue” between Christians and Jews.
Such dialogue, he said, “does not at all mean a hidden intention to bring Jews to conversion to Catholicism. Faith exists only if it is a free, personal decision.” Citing from the Psalms, the cardinal expressed his hope that, from now on, “we all–Jews and Christians–will be able to say in all sincerity ‘See how good it is, how sweet it is, to live like brothers all together.'”
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